We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Evaluating the Role of Tobacco Stalk Biochar in Wheat Growth Under Microplastic Exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a two-factor pot experiment testing whether tobacco stalk biochar could mitigate the effects of polyethylene microplastics on wheat growth, finding that biochar addition restored soil pH and organic matter and partly reversed the physiological stress caused by microplastic exposure.
The accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils poses a serious threat to both crop production and ecosystem health. To explore potential remediation strategies, we conducted a two-factor pot experiment (PE-MPs × TSB). This study was designed to systematically analyze the interactive effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and tobacco stalk-derived biochar (TSB) on soil properties, physiological characteristics, and growth indicators of wheat. Results indicated that TSB addition significantly increased soil pH, organic matter, and available potassium content, which was associated with a mitigation of the soil acidification and nutrient imbalance observed under PE-MPs. Physiologically, TSB was linked to higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD) and maintained leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthetic function, thereby consistent with a reduction in oxidative stress and better maintenance of growth in the presence of PE-MPs. Furthermore, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) supported a hypothetical cascading pathway for TSB's dominant influence: soil improvement → physiological mitigation → growth recovery. The total effect of TSB on biomass (0.71) was substantially greater than that of PE-MPs (0.01). This study proposes a conceptual model and provides correlative evidence that is consistent with multi-level processes through which TSB may alleviate PE-MPs stress, thereby providing theoretical support for the resource utilization of agricultural waste and the green remediation of microplastic-contaminated soil.
More Papers Like This
Impacts of Tobacco Stalk Biochar Remediation in Microplastic-Contaminated Soil on Early Rice Growth Indicators and Soil Quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers applied tobacco stalk biochar to polyethylene microplastic-contaminated soil and found it restored soil pH, organic matter, and available nutrients while reducing oxidative stress in rice seedlings, with remediation effectiveness being strongly dose-dependent and diminishing under high combined concentrations of biochar and microplastics.
Combined Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics and Biochar on Chlorophyll Content in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers grew wheat seedlings over 21 days in soils containing polyethylene microplastics and wood biochar, individually and in combination, and measured chlorophyll content as an indicator of plant health. Biochar partially mitigated microplastic-induced reductions in chlorophyll, suggesting that carbon amendment could serve as a low-cost strategy to protect crops in microplastic-contaminated soils.
Biochar counteracts the negative effects of microplastics on physiological and biochemical characteristics and leaf metabolism in Zea mays L
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied whether biochar could counteract the harmful effects of microplastics on maize plant growth and soil health. They found that adding biochar to microplastic-contaminated soil restored antioxidant enzyme balance, improved beneficial metabolic pathways in leaves, and increased bacterial community diversity. The study suggests biochar may help plants resist microplastic-induced stress by boosting glucose metabolism in root systems.
Biochar alleviated the toxic effects of PVC microplastic in a soil-plant system by upregulating soil enzyme activities and microbial abundance
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether adding biochar to soil could reduce the harmful effects of PVC microplastic contamination on plant growth and soil health. They found that biochar amendment increased plant biomass, restored soil enzyme activity, and boosted beneficial microbial populations that had been suppressed by the microplastics. The study suggests that biochar could serve as a practical tool for rehabilitating agricultural soils contaminated with plastic particles.
Effects of incorporating biochar on soil quality and barley yield in microplastics-contaminated soils
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested whether adding biochar to microplastic-contaminated soil could improve soil quality and crop performance. Researchers found that biochar application helped offset some of the negative effects of microplastics on soil properties and boosted barley yields even under drought conditions. The results suggest biochar could be a practical tool for managing farmland affected by plastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.